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Perplexity AI makes a bold move by offering a staggering $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google Chrome
In a surprise announcement that has sent shockwaves throughout the tech industry, Bezos-backed Perplexity AI has made a whopping $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google Chrome, leaving many questioning whether the offer is genuine or just a publicity stunt. The move marks an unprecedented attempt by the three-year-old AI startup to expand its influence in the digital landscape.
Perplexity’s bold ambition follows the company’s recent launch of Comet, an AI-powered browser, which has raised concerns about content reproduction without permission from media organizations. The AI firm, led by former Google and OpenAI employee Aravind Srinivas, has previously made headlines by offering to buy the American version of TikTok.
In the midst of the move, industry experts have expressed skepticism over the bid’s seriousness. “I love their boldness, but this is an unsolicited bid and is not actually funded yet,” Judith MacKenzie, head of Downing Fund Managers, shared with the BBC. Another expert, Heath Ahrens, described the offer as a “stunt” that undervalues Chrome’s actual worth.
Perplexity has emphasized its commitment to maintaining user choice and browser continuity if the bid were successful. The company pledged to keep Google as the default search engine within Chrome while allowing users to adjust their settings freely. Furthermore, it promised to continue supporting Chromium, the open-source platform that underpins Chrome alongside other popular browsers such as Microsoft Edge and Opera.
While uncertainty surrounds the feasibility of the deal amid ongoing antitrust cases in the United States, Perplexity’s unexpected bid could reshape the AI and browser market dynamics if successful. The move raises further questions about Google’s potential divestment of its dominant search engine and web browsing platform.
Source: coincentral.com
